North Korea sent athletes to a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan, organizers photos show, the first North Korean delegation to travel overseas since its borders closed in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic -19. The country is still under drastic restrictions against the coronavirus, but the signs are multiplying in favor of a gradual reopening of the borders, according to experts.
At least five North Korean athletes, wearing white uniforms with the country’s red and blue star-spangled flag on the front, were present at the International Taekwondo Federation competition in Astana, according to a photo shared on the official Facebook page of the event. Yonhap and Kyodo news agencies previously reported that a group of people believed to be North Korean athletes crossed the country’s land border with China on Wednesday, heading to Beijing and flying to Kazakhstan. . A Seoul Unification Ministry official told AFP on Friday that reports of North Korea’s participation in the taekwondo event “are generally believed to be true,” adding that he was monitoring the situation.
No athlete representing North Korea has been seen competing overseas since the start of the pandemic. Earlier this year, Pyongyang signed up to send its athletes to a weightlifting competition in Cuba, but none of them ultimately participated. Beijing confirmed in July that North Korea had registered for this year’s Asian Games, which will be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in September.
Last month, high-level Chinese and Russian delegations traveled to Pyongyang for official celebrations, raising hopes of further easing of border controls in the country. Earlier this month, North Korea invited foreign golfers to take part in a tournament in Pyongyang, without however specifying the date. The International Taekwondo Federation did not respond to an AFP request for comment.
